Travel to Kyiv safely

Since February 24, 2022, Ukraine has been under martial law due to Russia’s full-scale invasion. This means there are special rules and restrictions in place that also apply to foreign visitors. It’s important to note that traveling to Ukraine is currently unsafe, and if possible, it’s best to postpone your trip.

However, if you still plan to visit Kyiv during martial law, here’s what you need to know to stay safe.

Air raid alerts

An air raid alert in Kyiv is an official warning about a potential threat from aircraft, missiles, or drones. When one is announced, residents and visitors are urged to immediately head to the nearest shelter.

How will you know if there’s an air raid alert?

Sirens will sound across the city to signal the start of an alert. To stay informed about both alerts and all-clear announcements, we recommend downloading the Tryvoha! app or Kyiv Digital and enabling notifications.

What to do during an air raid alert

The safest thing to do during an air raid alert is to move to a shelter, taking essential items with you. Shelters include metro stations, underground passages, parking garages, and specially equipped basements of residential buildings. You can find the nearest shelter using the Tryvoha! or Kyiv Digital apps, or through the Kyiv City Council and LUN.misto websites.

If you are at home and there’s no shelter nearby, stay as far away from windows as possible and follow the “two walls rule” — there should be at least two walls between you and the outside.

How the city operates during an air raid alert

• Shopping malls and some restaurants, like McDonald’s, close for the duration of the alert.
• Public transport operated by Kyivpastrans (yellow trolleybuses, buses, and trams) temporarily stops running. Private transport companies usually continue operating.
• The metro only runs along its underground sections. To travel between the right and left banks of the city during an alert, you’ll need to use marshrutkas (minibuses), taxis, or private cars.
• Taxi prices tend to rise during air raid alerts.

Curfew in Kyiv

A curfew is a period during martial law when being outside without a special permit is prohibited, except in emergency situations — for example, when heading to a shelter during an air raid alert. In Kyiv, the current curfew runs from 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM

If you need to be outside during curfew hours, make sure to carry an ID and be ready to explain your situation to law enforcement officers. Violating curfew without a valid reason can result in fines or detention.

How to check for curfew updates

Curfew hours in Kyiv can occasionally change depending on the security situation, though such updates are rare. The last adjustment was on March 26, 2023, and since then, the curfew has remained from 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM daily. Any updates are promptly reported by the media, so it’s easy to stay informed.

Power outages

Russia regularly targets Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Damage to power grids, substations, and generation facilities leads to electricity shortages, forcing operators to implement outages.

Outages can be scheduled (according to a published timetable) or emergency (without warning). In cases of critical shortages, a blackout may occur — when electricity is lost for an indefinite period.

How to find out about outages

You can check the schedule for planned outages at a specific address on the website of DTEK Kyiv Electric Networks or in the Kyiv Digital app under City Services > Utilities > DTEK Power (please note that this section of the app is only available in Ukrainian).
Emergency outages are harder to predict, but updates are usually shared in the news and on social media.

How the city operates during outages

Following the large-scale attacks on the power grid in 2022–2023, Kyiv has significantly adapted to blackouts and continues to function normally.
The main advice during outages is to carry a power bank and a small flashlight, stay informed about outage schedules, and be ready to adjust your plans if needed.

• The metro and ground transport generally operate without interruptions, except for trams and trolleybuses.
• Most shops, restaurants, shopping malls, pharmacies, gyms, gas stations, and other businesses are equipped with generators and operate as usual. Most places still accept card payments, but it’s recommended to carry some cash just in case.
• Hotels and hostels are typically equipped with generators as well.
• Mobile networks and internet access may experience occasional disruptions. Whenever possible, use mobile services from Ukrainian operators — they are given priority access to backup power supplies.
• Heating and water supply usually remain uninterrupted.
• Points of Invincibility: The city has organized special locations with generators where people can charge their phones, warm up, and access the internet.